Ledbetter: Agriculture experts set to meet in Lubbock

Concerned about the state of agriculture? Want to know what's going on and who's leading what charge? If the answer to either of these questions interests you, head to Lubbock on Monday and Tuesday.

Producers, lenders, agribusiness representatives, environmental and natural resource officials and rural community leaders are expected to weigh in with their thoughts and ideas during the Texas Agricultural Policy Summit at the Holiday Inn Park Plaza in Lubbock.

"The goal of the summit is to focus on policy changes under consideration by state and national agriculture leaders and to better understand the likely consequences for Texas agriculture and the rural community," said Dr. Abner Womack, summit committee co-chair and director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University.

Agriculture in the past often has been resigned to settle for whatever is handed its way. However, that can't be the plan of action anymore. Agriculture is a business, and its professionals today are - they must be - proactive, rather than reactive.

The speakers will be a "who's who" among agriculture, including U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, speaking Tuesday, along with U.S. Reps. Larry Combest, R-Lubbock, and Charles Stenholm, D-Stamford, who will host an afternoon discussion focusing on national policy issues and expected farm bill modifications.

Combest chairs the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and Stenholm is the ranking minority member on the committee.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs will discuss the challenges and issues in Texas on Monday evening, and State Rep. Gary Walker, R-Plains, and State Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, will provide a panel discussion on Texas agricultural and natural resource policy on Tuesday.

Walker chairs the Texas House Committee on Land and Resource Management. Duncan is vice chair of the Texas Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

A wide variety of other speakers will be on hand to both inform and answer questions on the new farm bill legislation being proposed.

The registration is $80 per person.

Education is the best tool in planning for the future.

Knowing what lies ahead or what bumps the road could possibly have allows for better preparation in any business plan.

Kay Ledbetter is the Globe-News Assistant Regional Editor. She can be contacted at 1-800-692-4052 or by e-mail at: kledbetter@amarillonet.com